Judge temporarily blocks mandatory flu vaccines

(AP) - New York's second-largest public employeesunion has won a temporary restraining order blocking mandatory fluvaccinations for health care workers.
The Public Employees Federation sued the state to reverse apolicy requiring vaccination for the seasonal and swine fluviruses.
The health department issued an emergency regulation orderingworkers to get vaccinated by Nov. 30 or face possible disciplinaryaction, including dismissal. Department spokeswoman Claire Pospisilsays the agency believes the regulation will be upheld in court.
PEF says Friday it encourages its members to be vaccinatedagainst the flu, but opposes the emergency regulation requiring thevaccine as a condition of employment.
The union says about 5,000 of its members are covered by theemergency regulations.